The Chicago thread - local recommendations, trunk shows, goings-on, etc.

[thatboyo]

In Chicago next week for a work trip.

Team wants to take me to dinner and gave me following options:

Gilt Bar
Avec
Siena Tavern
La Josie
Pizza Portfino

Anyone have any feelings towards or against any of those?

Was leaning Gilt or La Josie or Siena just from a quick look at menus

Also, any recs for quick lunch bites? Office is near Clark/Lake station

 

[jimney]

Avec is an important and still relevant restaurant that helped shape the local restaurant scene. I don’t think I’ve been to the others, but at least some of the names (Gilt Bar) I’ve heard mediocre things about.

 

[Despos]

Avec
You could go for lunch or dinner. Two locations with different menus.
How many in your group makes a difference between the two.
West loop is communal type seating. Might be awkward.
Some menu items are for the table, meant to be shared.
River North location has more conventional seating and is much larger. The rooftop bar is open now.
Has more menu choices. Same format, shared plates and individual dishes.
Eaten at Avec more than any other Chicago restaurant.

Frontera Grill or XOXO are on Clark, few blocks north of Lake.
Frontera is a better choice than La Josie for dinner.
XOXO better for lunch.

Coco Pazzo if you want Italian food close to that area

 

[sargeinaz]

I’ve always had a good experience at gilt bar myself.

 

[krudsma]

Avec is definitely worth doing (get the focaccia!) but Gilt Bar is very solid as well. Siena tavern is fine, portofino is also fine.

 

[teddieriley]

Avec is definitely worth doing (get the focaccia!) but Gilt Bar is very solid as well. Siena tavern is fine, portofino is also fine.

I second this recommendation. Gilt Bar has a cool speak easy vibe. Solid food, great old fashioneds and manhattans.

 

[Despos]

Recommend a place/person for a haircut.
lady I went to for many years moved away.
Haven’t found the right person yet.
almost everyone near by that I’ve tried is a barber and cuts with clippers and not scissors.
everyone I’ve used before cuts with scissors

 

[jimney]

Recommend a place/person for a haircut.
lady I went to for many years moved away.
Haven’t found the right person yet.
almost everyone near by that I’ve tried is a barber and cuts with clippers and not scissors.
everyone I’ve used before cuts with scissors

I used to go to Aaron at Funk’s in the Sloop. I’d say there are probably a few people there that would do well for you.